High Frequency Antenna Integration in Electronic Devices

Abstract

An electronic device with high frequency antenna integration is described herein. The electronic device may comprise a trackpad and at least one antenna element. The trackpad is configured in a housing to receive input. The at least one antenna element is operable in a high frequency range integrated into a region adjacent to the trackpad, wherein at least a portion of the region is transparent to radio wave transmission enabling a dual use of the region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a trackpad, wherein the trackpad is configured in a housing to receive input;   at least one antenna element operable in a high frequency range integrated into a region adjacent to the trackpad, wherein at least a portion of the region is transparent to radio wave transmission enabling a dual use of the region.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the region is a mechanical mounting region wherein the trackpad is secured in a position within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the region is an inside perimeter of the trackpad and the at least one antenna element is disposed beneath the trackpad surface. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna element is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna element is a low-temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna element is disposed near a single edge of the trackpad. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed along an entire perimeter of the trackpad. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed along an entire perimeter of the trackpad, wherein a portion of the antenna elements form a first antenna array and another portion of the antenna elements form a second antenna array. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna element and the trackpad are covered by a cosmetic overlay visible through the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna element is fabricated via a printing process. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 at least one antenna element;   a substrate;   an electronic component coupled with the substrate; and   a housing, wherein the at least one antenna element is integrated with an internal structure of the housing, and at least one of the substrate or the electronic component is associated with the internal structure enabling a dual use of the internal structure.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal structure is a shield can that is configured to shield radio waves released from the electronic component from interference with another electronic component in the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one antenna element is a slot antenna disposed in an aperture of the shield can. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one antenna element is a slot antenna disposed in an aperture of the shield can, and a grounding structure of the antenna is disposed near the aperture to shield radio waves released from the electronic component from interference with another electronic component in the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal structure is a bezel region and the electronic component is a display panel, and the at least one antenna element is disposed within the bezel region and electrically coupled to the substrate. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal structure is a bezel region and the electronic component is a display panel, comprising:
 the at least one antenna element disposed within the bezel region and electrically coupled to the substrate, wherein the at least one antenna element is positioned to transmit and receive radio waves through a side wall of the housing; and   another antenna element disposed within the bezel region and electrically coupled to the substrate, wherein the another antenna element is positioned to transmit and receive radio waves through a display glass of the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal structure is a bezel region and the electronic component is a display panel, comprising:
 the at least one antenna element disposed within the bezel region and electrically coupled to the substrate, wherein the at least one antenna element is a first independent antenna array positioned to transmit and receive radio waves through a side wall of the housing; and   a second independent antenna array disposed within the bezel region and electrically coupled to the substrate, wherein the another antenna element is positioned to transmit and receive radio waves through a display glass of the housing.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing, wherein a plurality of electronic components is disposed within the housing and a portion of the housing comprises a region of metallization with a plurality of apertures that form at least one slot antenna array.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the plurality of apertures form a first slot antenna array and another portion of the plurality of apertures form a second slot antenna array. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of apertures is designed to enable a particular gain and directivity of the at least one slot antenna array.